Can opener having a removable hand lever retained by a hinged latch

ABSTRACT

An electrically powered can opener has a cutter wheel carried on a removable hand lever pivoted to the front surface of the upright can opener frame. An elongate pin extends from the hand lever through an elliptical opening in the front frame panel. The pin is engagingly retained in the upper half of the opening by a hinged latch member which is spring biased toward the rear surface of the front frame panel and pivotal away from the frame surface about its hinge axis. In a first embodiment, a control rod having a push button assembly extending through the frame is manipulated to pivot the latch rearwardly from engagement with the pin so that the hand lever may be detached from the frame. In a second embodiment, the control rod is replaced by a small pin slidably positioned in a bore in the front frame panel. The pivoting of the hand lever to an extreme position slides the pin rearwardly to pivot the latch away from the frame opening. In a third embodiment, the latch is mounted for limited vertical movement. Downward movement of the pin pushes the latch downwardly and positions the pin in the lower portion of the frame opening from where it may be withdrawn.

United States Patent McLean Oct. 7, 1975 CAN OPENER HAVING A REMOVABLE [57] ABSTRACT HAND LEVER RETAINED BY A HINGED An electrically powered can opener has a cutter wheel LATCH carried on a removable hand lever pivoted to the front [75] Inventor: Robert E. McLean, Rayto n, M surface of the upright can opener frame. An elongate pin extends from the hand lever through an elliptical [73] Asslgnee' Elva] Mgmfacmnng Company opening in the front frame panel. The pin is engagansas ingly retained in the upper half of the opening by a [22] Filed: Apr. 11, 1974 hinged latch member which is spring biased toward [21] Appl. No.: 459,911

Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-Gary L. Smith Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lowe, Kokjer, Kircher lo a the rear surface of the front frame panel and pivotal away from the frame surface about its hinge axis. In a first embodiment, a control rod having a push button assembly extending through 'the frame is manipulated to pivot the latch rearwardly from engagement with the pin so that the hand lever may be detached from the frame. In a second embodiment, the control rod is replaced by a small pin slidably positioned in a bore in the front frame panel. The pivoting of the hand lever to an extreme position slides the pin rearwardly to pivot the latch away from the frame opening. In a third embodiment, the latch is mounted for limited vertical movement. Downward movement of the pin pushes the latch downwardly and positions the pin in the lower portion of the frame opening from where it may be withdrawn.

10 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 0f 2 3,909,37

Oct. 7,1975

.8. Patent US. Patent Fly 12.

CAN OPENER HAVING A REMOVABLE HAND LEVER RETAINED BY A HINGED LATCH BACKGROUND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to power can openers having the can severing element carried on a pivotal hand lever which is removably locked on the can opener frame by a latch structure. The difficulty of cleaning permanently affixed cutter wheels is pointed out and the various advantages of removable hand levers are discussed in the Scott US. Pat. No. 3,520,056 entitled Removable Hand Lever Construction, which issued July 14, 1970 and which is owned by the assignee of the instant invention.

The invention disclosed herein utilizes a unique hinged latch to releasably retain the hand lever in operating position on the can opener frame. The latch is pivotal about its hinge axis toward and away from the upright frame to respectively retain and release the elongate pin member extending from the hand lever through an elliptical opening in the frame and a keyhole opening in a latch plate. The first embodiment utilizes a push button control to manipulate the latch from the latching position to the release position, whereas the latch members of the second and third embodiments are pivoted to the release position by the selective movement of the hand lever itself.

It is a significant feature of this invention that the hand lever may be installed on the frame by simply inserting the elongate pin member in the opening provided in the front frame panel. The hinged latches included in the instant invention have certain advantages over existing latch structures, which typically require that the lever be rotated or a push button be manipulated to permit the installation of the lever. In the present invention the insertion of the pin member in the frame opening forces the hinged latch to pivot rearwardly away from the front frame. After full insertion of the pin member, the latch is automatically pivoted back to its latching position adjacent the upright frame by the action of a spring cooperating with a camming surface located on the rearward end of the pin member.

It is a further feature of all three embodiments that the elongate pin member extending from the hand lever is positioned in the upper portion of the elliptical frame opening and retained therein by upward force from the latch when same is in the latched position. Since the operating thrust on the pin member is exerted upwardly, the thrust acts in cooperation with the latch to hold the pin in the upper portion of the frame opening. Furthermore, because of their perpendicular engagement with the underside of the pin member and their support against vertical movement, the hingedly mounted latches of the first two embodiments rigidly oppose any downward force that may be exerted on the pin member and therefore cannot be moved from the latching position as a result of such downward force.

An important object of this invention is to provide, in a power can opener of the type having a cutting element carried on a pivotal hand lever, a unique latch that is hingedly mounted for pivotal movement away from the front frame panel of the can opener to permit removal of the hand lever from the frame.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a can opener of the character described in which the hand lever is installed on the frame by simply inserting the pin member extending therefrom into an opening provided in the front frame panel.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a can opener of the character described wherein the operating thrust on the hand lever cooperates with the latch to assist in retaining the hand lever in operating position on the frame.

A further object of the inventtion is to provide, in a can opener of the character described, alternative means for manipulating the latch from its latching position to its release position to permit removal of the hand lever. As previously suggested, the latch of the first embodiment is manipulated independently of the hand lever, while the latch of the second embodiment is manipulated by the selective pivotal positioning of the hand lever and that of the third embodiment by the selective vertical movement of the hand lever.

Other and further objects of this invention, together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the course of the following description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a power operated can opener embodying the invention, with the broken line view showing the removable hand lever pivoted to a can receiving position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the upper left hand portion of the front can opener frame panel shown in FIG. 1, with the hand lever removed therefrom;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the front can opener frame panel shown in FIG. 2, with the hinged latch member shown in the latching position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 44 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 4, but with the hinged latch member shown in the release position;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a second embodiment of a power operated can opener, with the broken line view showing the removable hand lever pivoted to an extreme position;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the front can opener frame panel shown in FIG. 6, with the hinged latch member shown in the latching position;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 88 of FIG. 7 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 8, but with the hinged latch member shown in the release position;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the front frame panel of a third embodiment of a power operated can opener, with the latch member shown in the latching position;

FIG. 1 1 is a fragmentary rear elevational view similar to FIG. 10, but with the latch member shown in the release position; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 12-12 of FIG. 10 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and initially to FIGS. 1-5 thereof, the electrically powered can opener is generally designated by reference numeral 10. The upright front frame a thereof is secured to and cooperates with an open front box-like casing 10b to provide support for various operative components of the can opener.

A serrated or toothed rotary feed wheel 12 is operatively located on the forward side of frame 10a. Feed wheel 12 is carried on the forward end of a shaft 14 which extends horizontally through frame 10a and is rotatably supported in a suitable bearinged aperture in an embossed portion thereof. The rearward end of shaft 14 connects centrally to a large gear 16 (FIG. 3) located within the box-like casing of the can opener. A conventional electric motor (not shown) is appropriately connected to drive gear 16 and to thereby rotate feed wheel 12 in the usual manner.

A can piercing hand lever 18 carrying a cutter wheel 20 thereon is constructed to be pivotally mounted forwardly of front frame panel 10a to provide a movable support for the cutter wheel. Cutter wheel 20 is mounted obliquely on the front surface of lever 18 for free rotation on the usual stud or arbor anchored to an embossed portion 22 of the lever. A screw 23 is utilized to retain cutter wheel 20 on the arbor. To facilitate the pivoting of lever 18 on frame panel 10a, a pair of generally rectangular bosses 24 and 25 (FIG. 2) having bearinged surfaces extend slightly forwardly from the front surface of the frame panel at spaced locations.

Hand lever 18 is rigidly secured to an elongate pin assembly extending through a suitably sized aperture in the lower left hand portion of the lever (see FIG. 1). With particular reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the forwardly extending portion of the pin assembly includes a cylindrical rod-like projection 26 which functions as a can guide. The portion of the pin assembly extending rearwardly from lever 18 includes a circular flange 27 illustrated as abutting the rear surface of the lever, but which may be spaced rearwardly therefrom by a plurality of shim washers (not shown) interposed between the flange and the lever. A nut 28 is threaded onto the can guide portion 26 and against the forward surface of the lever to cooperate with flange 27 securing the pin assembly in the proper location on the lever.

The rearwardly extending portion of the pin assembly comprises a generally shaft-like pin member 30 which is a continuation of the can guide 26. The rearward portion of pin member 30 slopes gradually inwardly to form a smoothly tapered surface 30a which terminates in a slightly rounded rearward tip 30b. An annular groove 30c is cut laterally into the pin member a short distance forwardly of the tapered portion 30a. The surface of the pin member interconnecting groove 30c and tapered portion 30a comprises a short cylindrical ridge portion 30d.

Pin member 30 is rotatably positional in an elliptical opening 32 cut through front frame panel 10a. As seen in FIG. 2, opening 32 is oriented vertically and sized to permit transverse movement of the pin member between its top and bottom portions. Accordingly, a rearwardly recessed counterbore 33 surrounds opening 32 on the forward suface of frame panel 10a to receive and accommodate movement of flange 27.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a latch plate 34 is fixedly secured on the rearward surface of upright frame 10a by any convenient means such as the screws 35. Integral with latch plate 34 is a rectangular boss 34a which projects rearwardly from the lower end of the plate. A vertical, substantially keyhole shaped slot 36 is formed through latch plate 34 and is located adjacent the rearward end of the elliptical frame opening 32. The slot comprises a large, generally circular portion 36a overlying the lower portion of frame opening 32 and a small notched portion 36b adjacent the upper part of the frame opening. It is noted that the thickness of latch plate 34 is small enough relative to the size of the annular groove 300 to permit the groove to register in notch 36b of the keyhole opening when lever 18 is mounted on the can opener frame.

A plate-type latch member 38 is mounted adjacent the rear surface of latch plate 34 for pivotal movement toward and away from the front frame panel about a hinge axis defined at its lower edge. Latch 38 has a short upper edge 38a normally located adjacent the lower portion of keyhole opening 36 and a longer lower edge 38b which seats on top of the rearwardly extending boss 34a. A vertically oriented elliptical opening 40 (FIGS. 4 and 5) extends through latch 38 at a location below its vertical center. Projecting rearwardly through opening 40 is a cylindrical stud 42, which may be integral with latch plate 34 and which has a hex head screw 43 threaded into its rearward end. A compression spring 44 circumscribes the shank of stud 42 with its forward end bearing against the latch and its rearward end engaged by a large circular retaining washer 45 located adjacent the head of screw 43.

An arm 46 extends rearwardly from integral connection with the upper portion of the right edge of latch 38. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, arm 46 curves downwardly and includes a circular aperture 46a in its lowermost rearward portion. A bent control rod 48 has its L-shaped lower end 48a pivotally engaging arm 46 through aperture 46a. The top end of rod 48 includes a cylindrical push button 50, a portion of which extends loosely through a circular opening formed in the top of the can opener casing 10b. It is seen that the depression of push button 50 causes control rod 48 to swing arm 46 downwardly and thereby pull the upper portion of latch 38 away from the latch plate. The oversize of eilliptical latch opening 40 cooperates with stud 42 in permitting the latch to pivot rearwardly against the force of spring 44 with its lower edge 38b remaining against the latch plate and on top of the boss 34a thereof.

In operation, the hand lever 18 is mounted for pivotal movement on the forward surface of can opener frame 10a by aligning the pin member 30 extending therefrom with the lower portion of the elliptical frame opening 32 and pushing the lever rearwardly toward the frame. If pin member 30 is slightly misaligned and inadvertently enters the upper portion of opening 32, its rearward tapered surface 30a will engage the portion of the latch plate surrounding the reduced area notch 36b and, by camming action therewith, ride downwardly into the lower opening portion as the pin moves rearwardly in the opening. In any event, pin member 30 is thus eventually positioned in the lower portion of frame opening 32. As the pin member is inserted therein, its rearward tip portion 30b engages the upper portion of latch 38 and thereby pivots the latch rearwardly from its spring biased FIG. 4 position adjacent the frame about the hinge axis defined at its lower edge 38b. When lever 18 is pushed completely rearwardly to seat on bosses 24 and 25, pin member 30 becomes fully inserted in the frame opening and the upper edge 38a of the latch slides downwardly and forwardly from the rounded tip 30b of the pin member into engagement with the underside of tapered portion 30a at a location slightly forward of tip 30b.

Annular groove 300 is now positioned in the plane of latch plate 34 in the enlarged lower portion 36a of the keyhole slot. Since the force of spring 44 urges latch 38 forwardly toward the frame panel, its upper edge 38a is caused to move forward along the underside of tapered portion 30a, which presents a camming surface for engagement with the top of the latch. As upper edge 38a rides forwardly along tapered surface 30a, the re sulting camming action forces pin member 30 upwardly within opening 32 and moves its groove 300 into registration with the small notch 36b of the latch plate. When latch 38 reaches its FIG. 4 latching position adjacent the frame, its upper edge 38a engages the underside of the ridge 30d in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pin. Groove 300 is thereby retained in full registration with notch 36b by the rigid upward force exerted by the latch. The portion of the latch plate surrounding notch 36b thus engages pin member 30 Within the groove to preclude separation of the pin member from the upper half of frame opening 32 while at the same time permitting it to rotate therein as lever 18 is pivoted on the forward surface of the frame during operation of the can opener.

Alternatively, hand lever 18 may be installed on the frame by first depressing push button 50 to pivot latch 38 rearwardly from its spring biased FIG. 4 position and then fully inserting pin member 30 in frame opening 32. The previously described camming action between top edge 38a of the latch and tapered portion 30a of the pin member causes groove 30c and notch 36b to come into registration as the push button is released and spring 44 forces the latch toward the frame to its FIG. 4 latching position. As described, the upward perpendicular force exerted by the latch upon ridge 30d retains groove 30c and notch 36b in registration to lock hand lever 18 on the frame while permitting it to pivot thereon.

To remove hand lever 18 from frame 10, push button 50 is depressed to pivot latch 38 rearwardly from its FIG. 4 latching position to its FIG. 5 released position. The latch thereby becomes disengaged from pin member 30 and the pin member then drops freely from the upper portion to the lower portion of frame opening 32. Since its groove 30c is now separated from the small notch 36b of the latch plate, pin member 30 may be withdrawn forwardly from opening 32 to detach lever 18 from the frame.

It is significant to note that when the can opener is operated to sever the lid ofa can having its flanged rim on feed wheel 12, the hand lever 18 is pivoted downwardly to the solid line position of FIG. 1 to force cutter wheel 20 into engagement with the can lid. Accordingly, the force exerted on pin member 30 as the can opener operates is applied about a fulcrum located at the lower edge of the cutter wheel, and the operating thrust on the pin member is therefore exerted in an upward direction. Since the locked or operating position of pin member 30 is in the upper portion of the frame opening, it becomes apparent that the upward force of the operating thrust acts to retain it therein and actually cooperates with latch 38 in preventing the pin from inadvertently moving to the lower opening portion during operation of the can opener. Furthermore, should any downward force be exerted on pin member 30, the rigid, perpendicular force exerted upwardly thereon by the hinged latch 38 positively precludes the pin member from moving downwardly out of the small notch 36b of the latch plate.

Turning now more particularly to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 69, the principal components of the can opener are similar to those described with respect to the first embodiment. However, the operational characteristics involved in removing the hand lever 118 in the second embodiment from the can opener frame are somewhat different due to a significant change in the means for operating the latch 138.

As previously described, a rotary feed wheel 112 is rotated forwardly of front frame panel 110a by a conventional electric motor (not shown). Also, as described, a can piercing hand lever 118 carries a cutter wheel 120 on its forward surface and has a pin assembly secured thereto, including a forwardly extending can guide 126 and a rearwardly extending pin member 130 having a somewhat shorter tapered surface 130a, a rounded tip 130b, an annular groove 130C, and a ridge portion 130d. The heel portion of lever 118, which is located at the lower left hand corner thereof, is hereafter designated by the numeral 118a (see FIG. 6).

Again, front frame 110a includes a vertical elliptical opening 132 for receiving pin member 130, while a fixed latch plate 134 includes a keyhole slot 136 having a large lower portion 136a and a small notch 1361) located adjacent the rearward end of the upper portion of frame opening 132. However, in the second embodiment, frame 110a also includes a bifurcated bore 152 in which a slidable latch contacting pin 154 is contained. As seen in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the cylindrical bore 152 is formed through the frame panel at a location below and to the right of elliptical opening 132 and has a rearward portion 152(- which is enlarged compared to the forward portion l52b.

The pin 154 is slidably located in bore 152 to provide a means for pivoting the latch 138 rearwardly away from the latch plate. The pin includes a shank 154a which terminates forwardly in a tapered surface 154b, while the rear portion of the pin comprises an enlarged head 1540 terminating in a rounded rearward surface 154d. It is noted that forward sliding of pin 154 in bore 152 is limited by engagement of the enlarged head 154C with the forward end of the enlarged bore portion 152a. When in this position, tapered surface 1541: projects forwardly from the front frame 110a. It is further noted that pin 154 is located in the bore so that its rounded surface 154d bears against latch 138 at a horizontally centered position above the vertical center of the latch (see FIG. 7).

The latch 138 of the second embodiment is of generally rectangular shape and includes a top edge 138a adjacent keyhole slot 136 and a bottom edge l38b seating on boss 134a of the latch plat-e. As described with respect to the first embodiment, the latch is mounted on a stud 142 extending through an elliptical opening in the latch and having a spring 144 around its shank. However, in the second embodiment, the previously described latch arm 46, control rod 48, and push button 50 are eliminated.

In the second embodiment, hand lever 118 is pivotally mounted on frame 110 in the same manner as described with respect to the first embodiment, except that the described alternative method of first depressing a push button is not available in the second embodiment. Again, as the pin member 130 is inserted in the lower portion of elliptical frame opening 132, latch 138 is pivoted rearwardly from its spring biased position adjacent the frame about the hinge axis defined at its lower edge 138b. After full insertion of the pin member, the camming action provided by the tapered surface 1300 of the pin member permits spring 144 to pull the latch back to the FIG. 8 latching position wherein pin member 130 is rotatably retained in the upper portion of the frame opening.

Lever 118 of the second embodiment is detached from the can opener frame by pivoting it counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 6 to the broken line position illustrated therein. When the lever has swung approximately 60 upwardly, its heel portion 118a moves into engagement with the forwardly extending tapered surface 154b of pin 154. As lever 118 continues its counterclockwise pivoting along the front surface of the frame to the position shown in FIG. 9, the front end portion l54b of the pin acts as a camming surface against which heel 1 18a pushes. Pin 154 is thereby slidably moved in a rearward direction within its bore and with its rounded rearward end 154d bearing against the top part of latch 138 to pivot the latch rearwardly from Y the spring biased latching position of FIG. 8. When the latch has been pivoted to the FIG. 9 release position, it is disengaged from pin member 130, and the pin member then drops freely from the upper portion to the lower portion of frame opening 132. Since its annular groove 1300 is now separated from notch 136 b of the latch plate, pin member 130 may be withdrawn from opening 132 to remove lever 118 from the frame.

As stated with respect to the first embodiment, the upward operating thrust on pin member 130 of the second embodiment cooperates with latch 138 to securely retain the pin member in the proper operating position in the upper portion of frame opening 132. Also, the upward force exerted by the latch perpendicularly upon the pin member rigidly opposes any downward force that may be applied on the pin member unless the latch is moved by pin 154 away from its FIG. 8 latching position.

Turning now to the third embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10-12, the can opener shown therein has its principal components (except the latch 238) like those of the first embodiment. The principal differences in the third embodiment reside in certain structural changes in the latch 238, as well as the means for mounting and operating same to permit detachment of the can piercing lever 218 from the frame 210.

As described with respect to the first embodiment, a rotary feed wheel is rotated forwardly of front frame panel 210a by a motor (not shown). Also as described, a hand lever 218 carries a cutter wheel on its forward surface and has a pin assembly secured thereto, including a forwardly extending can guide 226 and a rearwardly extending pin member 230 having a tapered surface 230a, a rounded tip 230b, an annular groove 230C, and a ridge portion 230d. As in the first embodiment, pin member 230 is rotatably positioned in an elliptical opening 232 in the frame panel 210a, and a latch plate 234 secured on the rearward surface of the frame panel has a keyhole slot 236 therein, including the small notch 236b located adjacent the rearward extremity of the upper portion of frame opening 232 (the large notch being identified by the numeral 2360).

To mount the latch 238 of the third embodiment for limited vertical sliding movement on the latch plate, as well as hinged pivoting about is lower edge, a plate-type bracket 260 is provided. Bracket 260 is mounted rearwardly of latch plate 234 by means of screws 261 fitted through its lower portion and threaded into the boss 234a extending rearwardly from the latch plate. The upper portion 260a of the bracket tapers inwardly from each side to form a short top edge, from which an integral tongue 260b extends forwardly to contact latch plate 234. A rectangular opening 260a is formed through an intermediate portion of the bracket, while a second integral tongue 260d located below the upper tongue 260b extends forwardly from the upper edge of opening 2600 to contact the latch plate.

The latch 238 includes a body portion comprising a substantially rectangular plate having a top edge 238a for engagement with ridge 230d of the pin member. A horizontally centered rectangular opening 262 for receiving the upper tongue 260b of the bracket is formed through the latch at a location below its top edge 238a. A similar rectangular opening 263 is located below opening 262 near the bottom of the latch and receives the lower tongue 260d of the bracket therein. Openings 262 and 263 are of a height permitting limited vertical movement of latch 238 without obstruction from the tongues extending therethrough, while the tongues retain the latch in the proper rotative orientation.

Projecting rearwardly from integral connection with the lower edge of latch 238 is a horizontal leg 264 having a forward portion 264a extending across the entire width of the latch and a rearward tongue portion 264b of a reduced lateral dimension which extends centrally from the rear edge of forward portion 264a. The rear edges of portion 264a on either side of the tongue 264b engage bracket 260 to retain the lower edge of latch 238 against latch plate 234, while tongue 264b extends rearwardly through opening 2606 of the bracket and is vertically movable therein.

The tongue 264b has an aperture through which the lower end of a tension spring 266 is securely hooked. A stud 268 extending rearwardly from the top part of latch plate 234 is provided with an annular groove for securing the top end of spring 266. Spring 266 thus not only urges the top portion of the latch against the latch plate, but also biases the latch upwardly to its latching position (FIG. 12), wherein leg 264 of the latch engages the underside of the lower bracket tongue 260d and top edge 238a of the latch is in position to engage pin member 230 to retain it in frame opening 232. Furthermore, latch 238 is mounted so as to permit both sliding vertical movement along the latch plate and pivotal movement about a hinge axis defined at the lower edge of its body portion.

Hand lever 218 of the third embodiment is pivotally mounted on frame 210 in the same manner as described with respect to the first embodiment, except that the described alternative method of first depressing a push button is not available. As described, the insertion of pin member 230 in the lower portion of elliptical frame opening 232 pivots latch 238 rearwardly from its spring biased position adjacent the frame opening about the hinge axis defined at its bottom edge.

When the pin member is completely inserted in the frame opening, its tapered surface 230a cooperates with spring 266 to permit latch 238 to return to the latching position of FIG. 12 wherein the lever is movably secured on the front panel of frame 210 by registration of annular groove 230C in notch 2356b of the keyhole opening.

The operator may remove lever 218 from the frame by rotating it preferably to a near vertical position (as in FIG. 11) and then exerting a downward force thereon. Because latch 238 is mounted for limited vertical movement (as well as the described hinged pivoting), the downward force of pin member 230 against the top edge of the latch slides the latch a short distance downwardly along the latch plate (to the FIG. lll position) and permits the pin member to move to the lower portion of frame opening 232. Since its groove 2300 is then separated from notch 236k of the latch plate, the pin member may be withdrawn from the frame opening to detach lever 218 from frame 210.

As in the first two embodiments, it is significant that the pin member 230 is locked in the upper portion of frame opening 232 during operation of the can opener and that latch 238 exerts an upward force thereon to cooperate with the operating thrust in retaining the lever in operative position on the frame.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a can opener having an upright frame, a rotary feed wheel and means for rotating said feed wheel, the combination therewith of:

a hand lever;

a pin member extending from said hand lever, said pin member having a groove defined therein;

an opening in said frame, said pin member removably insertable in said frame opening and rotatable therein to pivotally mount said hand lever on said frame;

a cutting element carried on said hand lever and movable therewith toward and away from said feed wheel;

a latch plate for selectively engaging said groove; and

a latch member supported on said frame for movement about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the inserted pin member, and means for biasing said latch member for cooperation with said frame opening when in a latching position to engagingly retain the inserted pin member therein by urging said pin member toward said latch plate, said latch member being movable from said latching position to permit removal of said pin member from said frame opening.

2. The combination as in claim 1, including a control rod coupled to said latch member, said control rod having at least a portion operable exteriorly of said frame to pivot said latch member from said latching position.

3. In a can opener having an upright frame, a rotary feed wheel and means for rotating said feed wheel, the combination therewith of:

a hand lever;

a pin member extending from said hand lever;

an opening in said frame, said pin member removably insertable in said frame opening and rotatable therein to pivotally mount said hand lever on said frame; cutting element carried on said hand lever and movable therewith toward. and away from said feed wheel; and latch member supported on said frame for movement about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the inserted pin member, said latch member cooperating with said frame opening when in a latching position to engagingly retain the in serted pin member therein, said latch member being movable from said latching position to permit removal of said pin member from said frame opening, and latch contacting member movably supported on said frame and operable in response to the selective movement of said hand lever to pivot said latch member from said latching position.

4. The combination as in claim 3, wherein said latch contacting member is slidably supported on said frame and includes a cam surface, said hand lever selectively movable to engage said cam surface to slide said latch contacting member against said latch member at a position offset from the pivot axis thereof, whereby said latch member is pivoted from said latching position.

5. The combination as in claim 3, including means for yieldably biasing said latch member toward said latching position.

6. In a can opener having an upright frame, a rotary feed wheel and means for rotating said feed wheel, the combination therewith of:

a hand lever;

a pin member extending from said hand lever;

an opening in said frame, said pin member removably insertable in said frame opening and rotatable therein to pivotally mount said hand lever on said frame;

a cutting element carried on said hand lever and movable therewith toward and away from said feed wheel; and

a latch member supported on said frame for movement about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the inserted pin member, said latch member cooperating with said frame opening when in a latching position to engagingly retain the inserted pin member therein, said latch member being slidable upon said frame from said latching position to permit removal of said pin member from said frame opening;

said pin member being selectively movable in said frame opening transversely thereof to engagingly slide said latch member from said latching position.

7. The combination as in claim 6, including means for yieldably biasing said latch member toward said latching position.

8. In a can opener having an upright frame, a rotary feed wheel and means for rotating said feed wheel, the combination therewith of:

a hand lever;

a pin member extending from said hand lever;

an opening in said frame, said opening including an upper portion and a lower portion, said pin member removably insertable in said frame opening and rotatable therein to pivotally mount said hand lever on said frame;

a cutting element carried on said hand lever and movable therewith toward and away from said feed wheel; and

a latch member supported on said frame for movement about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the inserted pin member, said latch member cooperating with said frame opening when in a latching position to engagingly retain the inserted pin member in said upper opening portion, said latch member being movable from said latching position to permit removal of said pin member from said frame opening.

9. The combination as in claim 8, wherein said upper opening portion includes a reduced area notch and said pin member has an annular groove formed therein for registration with said notch to retain said pin member in said frame opening, said latch member engaging the underside of said pin member when in said latching position to exert an upward force thereon substantially perpendicular to the axis thereof to retain said groove in registration with said notch.

10. The combination as in claim 8, including means for yieldably biasing said latch member toward said latching position and cam means located on said pin member, said pin member insertable in said lower opening to pivot said latch member from said latching position, said latch member cooperating with said cam means to move said pin member to said upper opening portion as said yieldable biasing means pivots said latch member to said latching position. 

1. In a can opener having an upright frame, a rotary feed wheel and means for rotating said feed wheel, the combination therewith of: a hand lever; a pin member extending from said hand lever, said pin member having a groove defined therein; an opening in said frame, said pin member removably insertable in said frame opening and rotatable therein to pivotally mount said hand lever on said frame; a cutting element carried on said hand lever and movable therewith toward and away from said feed wheel; a latch plate for selectively engaging said groove; and a latch member supported on said frame for movement about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the inserted pin member, and means for biasing said latch member for cooperation with said frame opening when in a latching position to engagingly retain the inserted pin member therein by urging said pin member toward said latch plate, said latch member being movable from said latching position to permit removal of said pin member from said frame opening.
 2. The combination as in claim 1, including a control rod coupled to said latch member, said control rod having at least a portion operable exteriorly of said frame to pivot said latch member from said latching position.
 3. In a can opener having an upright frame, a rotary feed wheel and means for rotating said feed wheel, the combination therewith of: a hand lever; a pin member extending from said hand lever; an opening in said frame, said pin member removably insertable in said frame opening and rotatable therein to pivotally mount said hand lever on said frame; a cutting element carried on said hand lever and movable therewith toward and away from said feed wheel; and a latch member supported on said frame for movement about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the inserted pin member, said latch member cooperating with said frame opening when in a latching position to engagingly retain the inserted pin member therein, said latch member being movable from said latching position to permit removal of said pin member from said frame opening, and a latch contacting member movably supported on said frame and operable in response to the selective movement of said hand lever to pivot said latch member from said latching position.
 4. The combination as in claim 3, wherein said latch contacting member is slidably supported on said frame and includes a cam surface, said hand lever selectively movable to engage said cam surface to slide said latch contacting member against said latch member at a position offset from the pivot axis thereof, whereby said latch member is pivoted from said latching position.
 5. The combination as in claim 3, including means for yieldably biasing said latch member toward said latching position.
 6. In a can opener having an upright frame, a rotary feed wheel and means for rotating said feed wheel, the combination therewith of: a hand lever; a pin member extending from said hand lever; an opening in said frame, said pin member removably insertable in said frame opening and rotatable therein to pivotally mount said hand lever on said frame; a cutting element carried on said hand lever and movable therewith toward and away from said feed wheel; and a latch member supported on said frame for movement about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the inserted pin member, said latch member cooperating with said frame opening when in a latching position to engagingly retain the inserted pin member therein, said latch member being slidable upon said frame from said latching position to permit removal of said pin member from said frame opening; said pin member being selectively movable in said frame opening transversely thereof to engagingly slide said latch member from said latching position.
 7. The combination as in claim 6, including means for yieldably biasing said latch member toward said latcHing position.
 8. In a can opener having an upright frame, a rotary feed wheel and means for rotating said feed wheel, the combination therewith of: a hand lever; a pin member extending from said hand lever; an opening in said frame, said opening including an upper portion and a lower portion, said pin member removably insertable in said frame opening and rotatable therein to pivotally mount said hand lever on said frame; a cutting element carried on said hand lever and movable therewith toward and away from said feed wheel; and a latch member supported on said frame for movement about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the inserted pin member, said latch member cooperating with said frame opening when in a latching position to engagingly retain the inserted pin member in said upper opening portion, said latch member being movable from said latching position to permit removal of said pin member from said frame opening.
 9. The combination as in claim 8, wherein said upper opening portion includes a reduced area notch and said pin member has an annular groove formed therein for registration with said notch to retain said pin member in said frame opening, said latch member engaging the underside of said pin member when in said latching position to exert an upward force thereon substantially perpendicular to the axis thereof to retain said groove in registration with said notch.
 10. The combination as in claim 8, including means for yieldably biasing said latch member toward said latching position and cam means located on said pin member, said pin member insertable in said lower opening to pivot said latch member from said latching position, said latch member cooperating with said cam means to move said pin member to said upper opening portion as said yieldable biasing means pivots said latch member to said latching position. 